Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Funhouse [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Product Description

Explicit Version. P!nk comes right on time in 2008 with her highly anticipated and provocatively personal Funhouse album, addressing both her public and private persona, as only P!nk can. Teaming once again with hitmakers Max Martin, Billy Mann, and others, P!nk is poised to leave another memorable mark worldwide! Since her debut in 2000, P!nk (Alecia Moore) has been widely hailed as a fearlessly talented singer, songwriter and the Pennsylvania native's genre-defying creative risk-taking has propelled her to global stardom. To date, the chanteuse has sold 22 million albums cumulatively worldwide. 12 tracks.

Review by By Edward Lee

I could probably put everything I know about Pink into ... well ... I guess it would be into a single album review. I know her real name is Alecia Moore. I know she burst onto the scene at the same time as a handful of other pop singer/songwriters. I know, for some reason, she hasn't seem to be given the same level of respect as some of her peers (though I've read one "professional" review that already dubbed this her "divorce album," given her recent change of marital status) ... but that could all change with FUNHOUSE. There's a 1960's one-hit wonder quality to the entire album, to every single track, a sound so magically captured in the Tom Hanks film THAT THING YOU DO! It's fun, with a lot of attitude.

So What (5 out ot 5): A perfect gem of a song. When it comes to rockin' pop rhythms with lyrical attitude, Pink clearly commands the lead over her peers with driving songs matched with the killer refrains like that of "So What," a musical shot of adrenaline. Who cares what others say? It in the end it doesn't matter b/c talent & attitude triumphs. Never diss the rock star. Celebrate the self. One of the best tracks here. A hit out of the park!

Sober (4 out of 5): A melancholy rocker, introspective in a way only someone who's looked inside can pen and perform. Personal demons are often driven by the actions of others (bad lovers, bad parents, bad friends, etc.), but only one's self-confidence can help you achieve lasting happiness. "How do I feel this good sober?" Indeed.

I Don't Believe You (5 out of 5): Starts softly and swells in power, much like any individual's soul. Only Pink's trembling & gritty voals can elevate the power to jilted love songs like these. Tragically romantic though the love may have come to an end.

One Foot Wrong (2 out of 5): Is it jazz? Is it electronic? Is that a reggae beat? I'm not too sure what to make of "One Foot Wrong." For the record, there's also a late 60's sound working here. The track feels a bit experimental. If it weren't for Pink's massive voice, then I probably wouldn't much remember this tune.

Please Don't Leave Me (4 out ot 5): Lyrically, the song truly shows Pink's vocal strength, alternating as it does between her contemporary singer and an almost lilting little girl backing "da da da" track. A throwback sound to the teen beach tunes of the 1960's brought forward in time beautifully here.

Bad Influence (5 out of 5): Forgive me if I think that THIS is what Pink does best ... celebrating her own downright sinful badness. Pop/rock with all the attitude you can fit between the start and the finish. Actually, this tune has an odd theatrical quality to it, like it's destined to be featured in a rock movie musical or maybe just a real solid and wicked music video.

Funhouse (5 out of 5): Celebrating annihilation ... complete with its own countdown. "This used to be a funhouse, but now it's full of evil clowns." The title track is exactly the kind of song your grandparents warned you about when they said, "Stop listening to that rock'n'roll ... it's so violent." Yes, it's so deliciously destructive, and it's arguably one of the best tracks here.

Crystal Ball (5 out of 5): Smoky & reserved, it's that other kind of song that Pink does extraordinarily well. Just her voice & a twinkling guitar. Questions about the future abound, but just greet them like you would any challenge, and you'll be fine. Hint: even that crystal ball cracks, folks. Honestly, I could listen to her sing this song and play that guitar softly for hours on end.

Mean (5 out of 5): Pink does southern fried rock like Aerosmith does (and ISN'T that Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler singing back-up as he's done with her before?), complete with the blues-backed twangy electric guitars. This is the kind of vocal performance that Grammy's OUGHT to be celebrating. A big (but heartfelt) rock ballad complete with the F word worked in for good measure. "It's like a train wreck trying to hit the right track ..." Asks and tries to answer the question about how, why, when, and where the relationship went wrong.

It's All Your Fault (3 out of 5): It's the kind of track you'll be hearing playing in the background of a Spencer's Gift store for the next six months and always wonder what that's all about. Great driving undercurrent, the kind of track some kids love headbanging to these days. For all its strengths, it's the kind of song whose lyrics either means something to you or they don't.

Ave Mary A (5 out of 5): A flat-out indictment of the world we've created, complete with questioning one's faith alongside with how we got where we are.

Glitter in the Air (5 out of 5): A song that speaks to the simplest, magical pleasures of life, like a child throwing a handful of sparkling glitter into the air. Pink squeezes more depth, passion, and humanity into these four minutes that many of her peers squeeze out of an entire career.

This Is How It Goes Down (5 out of 5)
Sexy, subversive, and sinful, the perfect exclamation point to this visit to the FUNHOUSE. I could've done without the rap interlude by Travis McCoy, but that's only a matter of taste.

Well, after all is said and done, what is Pink's FUNHOUSE? I could be wrong (I've been wrong before), but I think she's singing about life ... the good, the bad, the tragic, the charm, the ecstatic, the love, the loss ... all of it rolled into one is the 'funhouse,' a ride that once we're all on board we have no other choice but to ride it all out ... thru the good times and the not so good times. There's something here for everyone -- much like life -- and no one should walk away disappointed. Musically, this album is absolutely terrific, and, lyrically, it's absolutely top rate. I haven't felt so excited about an artist's total release in an awfully long time, and here's hoping that Pink finds the success she so much deserves with this trip thru her own personal funhouse.

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Friday, October 17, 2008

Doll Domination

Product Description

The Pussycat Dolls are back with their highly anticipated album, DOLL DOMINATION! The album includes their new hit single, "When I Grow Up". This track is featured in the movie "House Bunny" and in the new Dance Dance Revolution game (October 2008).

The Pussycat Doll's second album, 'Doll Domination', is a decent follw-up album. I don't think it really lives up to the hype or even the title, though. With a title like 'Doll Domination' I expect each track to be really good, radio friendly and just mind blowingly good. Yet, some tracks are just okay while others come off as nothing more than a purr and are timid.

The Good: PCD is at their best on songs where they are singing something upbeat and being a bit provocative. Some of the best tracks on the album are 'Magic', 'Elevator', 'Whatchamacallit' and 'When I Grow Up' because they're fun and dance/pop orientated and very entertaining. I enjoyed these songs because they weren't what you hear on the radio and have the same production of some of the group's best songs from their previous release.

The Bad: There are a few things that kept this from being a five-star release. First, yet again we're faced with Nicole (the lead doll) pretty much being featured throughout the album. I can only hear and pick out her voice on most tracks. This was something of a let down because on the special edition, we are treated to the other members of the group having songs they're featured on and, to no one's surprise, they can sing as well! Yet, this CD is more 'Nicole Scherzinger feat. The Pussycat Dolls' than anything else. This probably contributes to some songs simply not standing out from the others. Second complaint is that while the slow songs are okay, on this album, they simply sound like B-side tracks. There was something off about the production and that excitement and edge captured in the upbeat songs are just lost when the tempo is slowed. Every song isn't good. Probably, I'd say this is an average dance/pop album and not all the songs vibe and go well together. There was more than one or two tracks that sounded like B-sides to me with a lack of spirit and effort.

In all, it's a good album, but could be better. I enjoyed the dance and up-beat tracks, would have appreciated hearing some other voices featured on the songs, but otherwise, better than a lot of other CDs released in this genre. Check it out.

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Friday, October 10, 2008

Don't Forget [ENHANCED]

About the Artist

Demi Lovato first caught the acting bug at age 6, when she auditioned for and landed a part on the iconic children's show "Barney & Friends." While on the show, Demi perfected her musical talents -- she plays both guitar and piano -- and by the time Disney discovered her, she was a triple threat as actress, recording artist and consummate performer.

In January 2007 she was cast as Charlotte Adams on the Disney Channel original series "As the Bell Rings," which aired later that summer, and for which she wrote and sang her own songs. Next she starred as Mitchie Torres in the Disney Channel original movie "Camp Rock," which premiered in June 2008. Ever the multi-tasker, Demi will soon begin production on her new Disney Channel original series, " Welcome to Mollywood," a fish-out-of-water comedy in which she plays a Wisconsin teen who comes to L.A. to star in her favorite TV show.

But music remains front and center for Demi. With the support of her family, she is ready for the next wave of fame and success. "I know myself enough to get me through any trials," she says. "I make mistakes, but my parents are there to get me through those mistakes and keep me staying positive."

Beautiful, talented, thoughtful and boundlessly enthusiastic, Demi Lovato is ready for the next chapter in her life. And she hopes her fans are ready to be there with her. "I want people to know me, and that I write about them. I'm human; your human, so lets relate.".

Product Description

With producer Jon Fields at the helm, Demi teamed up with Jonas Brothers to co-write several of the album's 11 songs. It was a natural collaboration, since Demi counts Nick, Joe and Kevin among her best friends. Their inerrant feel for hook-laden rock helped Demi deliver on her vision. "If I were to write the album by myself it would probably have been a little more serious," she notes. "But I didn't want that. I wanted a fun album."

It's hard to imagine anything more musically fun than full-out rockers like "Get Back" and "Gonna Get Caught," both written by Demi with Jonas Brothers. Says Demi, "So many guys cheat and play games. I thought there needed to be a song about a guy getting caught. Nick said, `Can't it have a happy ending?' But I said, `No, no, no!'"

She balances the uptempo tracks with sweeping ballads like "Two Worlds" and "Believe in Me," the latter featuring a message Demi takes seriously. "Being a teenage girl you deal with insecurity," she says. "People think if you're in the spotlight, you're overly confident, but most of us deal with so much criticism, it gets to us. I'm the type of person who wants to take it with a grain of salt."

Demi's vulnerable side comes through on "Until Your Mine" and the title track, a touching ballad (co-written with Jonas Brothers) about a faltering relationship. She explores similar territory in "On the Line," an uptempo duet she co-wrote and sings with Nick Jonas. "We wanted to write a breakup song," Demi says, "and what better way to say it when you're breaking up over the phone than with the title `On the Line.'"

Demi's inner rocker girl comes roaring back on "Party" and "LA LA Land," a droll take on SoCal life and all its attending artifice. Showing her songwriting skills Demi wrote "Trainwreck" all by herself. She wraps the album with "The Middle," a strikingly mature song about finding balance in love and life.

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Sunday, October 5, 2008

Mamma Mia! [SOUNDTRACK]

Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the feature-film adaptation of the beloved musical that has been seen by more than 30 million people in 160 cities and 8 languages around the world. Bringing the timeless lyrics and melodies of iconic super group ABBA to movie audiences, Summer 2008 is the season for MAMMA MIA!

Produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, MAMMA MIA s all-star cast which, in addition to Meryl Streep, includes Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan SkarsgÄrd, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper.(Universal Pictures)

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna (Streep) is about to let go of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), the spirited daughter she s raised alone. For Sophie s wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends practical and no-nonsense Rosie (Julie Walters) and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya (Christine Baranski) from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos.But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own.

On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna s past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities.

This CD is a must-have just for the simple unadulterated pop culture value. This isn't one of those dramatic instrumental soundtracks with titles like "Wedding March" or "The Emperor is Dead", but instead is a lot of fun, especially for people who have grown up singing every word that ABBA ever wrote.

The eighteen songs (17 + hidden track) are all familiar ABBA hits, and you'll find yourself singing along with the likes of Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Pierce Brosnan, Christine Baranski, Amanda Seyfried and others.

Some of these unlikely songbirds can actually carry a note (albeit not too far), and others will make you smile (You're a brave man Pierce), but there's no denying that this soundtrack would make a great stocking stuffer or just-because gift for your favorite baby boomer.

Tracks not to be missed (whether good or just rather ambitious) are: "Honey, Honey" - Amanda Seyfried "Mamma Mia!" - Meryl Streep "Dancing Queen" - Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters "Our Last Summer" - Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgaard "Lay All Your Love on Me" - Dominic Cooper and Amanda Seyfried "Super Trouper" - Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, and Julie Walters "SOS" - Pierce Brosnan and Meryl Streep "Does Your Mother Know" - Christine Baranski and Philip Michael "Take a Chance on Me" - Julie Walters and Stellan Skarsgaard "I Have a Dream" / "Thank You for the Music" (Hidden Track) - Amanda Seyfried

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